Shock. Gasp.In unexpected news this week, J.K. Rowling outed Harry Potter's Professor Albus Dumbledore, fictional Headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Wizardry, a mere two books and 4 years since his death.
And everyone applauded, for a gay man who was never outed, not in his fictional lifespan, not in the books published or the movies released. Way to go to give us a great role model, ms Rowling!
As for the media circus?
Let's quote:
Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell welcomed the news about Dumbledore and said: "It's good that children's literature includes the reality of gay people, since we exist in every society.
...and remain closeted in our studies not letting anyone know our real identity
And a spokesman for gay rights group Stonewall added: "It's great that JK has said this. It shows that there's no limit to what gay and lesbian people can do, even being a wizard headmaster."
... ... ... ...
"Dumbledore is gay," she said, adding he was smitten with rival Gellert Grindelwald, who he beat in a battle between good and bad wizards long ago.
This could actually fit, looking back. But I still couldn't prove this isn't something that Rowling tacked on after the fact; there was simply no hinting or nudging for the reader to make this jump on his own. If Dumbledore was always perceived as a gay character, why is there not a single hint in the series of 7 books? And what is the point of revealing it after all the books have been released?
Is it safe now?
Source: BBC News
It was very subtly hinted. Dumbledore was extremely devoted to Grindelwald despite his interest in dark magic. It led him to do some uncharacteristic things and his relationship with Grindelwald had a profound impact on his life. He also was a lot more merciful with Grindelwald than he ever was with Voldemort (whom he specifically went to great effort to kill). I remember reading the book and wondering if there was something more going on between them (although I originally dismissed the idea out of hand), some of it seemed quite familiar to me. I can't imagine how easily the "Dumbledore is gay" revelation would have fit with all the other revelations about him in the last book, but it's probably something she cut out more for length than any other reason (nobody wanted another Order of the Phoenix mess).
ReplyDeleteCan u imagine the Daily Prophet headlines in that case? The child molestation accusations alone!!
ReplyDeleteLike I said, in hindsight it fits, but there;'s no way I would have made that jump on my own. I wonder if she intended any of the students to be gay as well
Just because he's gay doesn't make him a child molester...
ReplyDelete